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School Q&A

Published: December 16, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Bruce DelMonico of the Yale School of Management
Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean for Admissions at the Yale School of Management In this MBA Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome back Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean for Admissions at the Yale School of Management for insights into MBA admissions, the program and more. Bruce joined Yale SOM in October 2004 and has led the Admissions Office since November 2006. Before joining Yale, Bruce was an attorney focused on First Amendment, white collar, and commercial litigation. Bruce holds a BA in Honors English from Brown University, an MA in Literature from the University of Read more
Published: December 12, 2024
Behind the Scenes: How to Get into HEC Paris
Sponsored Content The HEC Paris MBA program is a prestigious and globally recognized business education offering designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary for leadership roles in today’s dynamic business environment. In this special feature, we hear from Sara Vanos, Executive Director, Admissions & Marketing, MBA Programs, HEC Paris, who shares exclusive advice on how to get into the leading MBA program. Sara Vanos, Executive Director of Marketing & Admissions for the MBA Programs, HEC Paris Sara oversees the full-time MBA, the Executive MBA, and the TRIUM Global MBA at HEC Paris. With more than Read more
Published: December 12, 2024
ROI of the HEC Paris MBA
The return on investment (ROI) of an MBA degree is a key consideration for prospective students, as it offers significant career advancement opportunities, financial rewards, and personal growth. An MBA not only enhances earning potential, with graduates often reporting substantial salary increases, but also equips professionals with leadership skills, a global network, and the expertise to navigate complex business challenges. Whether transitioning industries, accelerating career progression, or launching entrepreneurial ventures, the ROI of an MBA extends far beyond financial metrics, delivering long-term value and impact in both professional and personal spheres. Graduates of the HEC Paris MBA program have Read more
Published: December 3, 2024
Episode 399: Admissions Director Q&A with Stanford GSB’s Erin Nixon
Whether you’re curious about Stanford GSB’s iconic essay question, tips for nailing your application, or the unique benefits of an MBA on the West Coast, you’re in for a treat in this episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast. Erin Nixon, Stanford GSB Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Host Graham Richmond welcomes Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Erin Nixon from the leading business school. Erin is a Stanford alumna, having earned both her undergraduate degree in economics and her MBA from the university. Her professional journey includes time at Boston Consulting Read more
Published: October 1, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Emily Brierley of Cambridge Judge
Welcome to another special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast as we continue our popular Admissions Director Q&A series with Emily Brierley, Head of Cambridge MBA Recruitment and Admissions at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School. Emily Brierley, Head of Cambridge MBA Recruitment and Admissions Emily has been with Cambridge Judge since 2016 and became a core part of the MBA Recruitment and Admissions team by 2018. She started out in operations and candidate management before taking on her current leadership role in August 2021. You might recognize her from Read more
Published: September 24, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: David Simpson of LBS
David Simpson, Recruitment & Admissions Director, MBA and MiF at LBS In his 25+ years at London Business School (LBS), David Simpson, Recruitment and Admissions Director for the MBA and Masters in Finance, has worked across a range of roles in admissions, marketing, and business development. Recently, he sat down for a special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, hosted by Graham Richmond, to share his journey, insights, and tips for prospective students as part of our Admissions Director Q&A series. This in-depth conversation offers listeners a rare peek Read more
Published: September 11, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Erin Nixon of Stanford GSB
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome Erin Nixon, the new Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Stanford GSB. Before returning to the GSB for this role earlier this year, Erin worked as a strategy and operations executive across industries and geographies, including with BCG, LinkedIn, and early-stage startups and small businesses in the U.S. and Europe. Originally from Austin, Texas, Erin received her undergraduate degree in Economics from Stanford University and her MBA from Stanford GSB. Having spent the last Read more
Published: September 9, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Coni Zingarelli of Rice Business
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Coni Zingarelli, the executive director of recruiting, admissions and student financial services at Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University (Rice Business). Previously, Coni served in roles with Temple University’s Fox School of Business and University of California Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. She is passionate about helping students find the right graduate program to further their personal and professional aspirations. Coni spent the first 12 years of her career in the hospitality industry working in Read more
Published: September 4, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Rodrigo Malta of Texas McCombs
Get ready for a deep dive into MBA admissions at the Texas McCombs School of Business with Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director of MBA Marketing, Recruiting & Admissions, in this installment of our MBA Admissions Director Q&A series. Rodrigo is originally from Brazil and immigrated to the United States during high school. He earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business in 2007, and his bachelor’s degree in management from Missouri State University in 2000. Before and after his MBA, Rodrigo worked for Fortune 100 Read more
Published: September 2, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Bailey McChesney of Vanderbilt Owen
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we welcome back Bailey McChesney, Director of MBA Admissions at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. Bailey has been with the Vanderbilt MBA Recruiting & Admissions Team for over a decade and currently manages the application evaluation process. In her time at Vanderbilt, she has managed a variety of initiatives and worked with hundreds of applicants to help them understand the application process. Check out our conversation below for her advice on writing your essay, preparing for your interview, and more on what to expect from the MBA Read more
Published: August 28, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Paola Eicher of IMD
For this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, we visit Lausanne, Switzerland, to meet Paola Eicher, Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions at IMD Business School. Paola holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in International Hospitality Management from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. She has over a decade of experience in higher education, focusing on student recruitment and admissions. Before her current role, she was Head of Admissions and Recruitment at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. Read on for her insights into the IMD MBA Read more
Published: August 26, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Eddie Asbie of Cornell University’s S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Eddie Asbie, Executive Director of Admissions and Scholarship at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. Eddie is responsible for overseeing admissions and recruitment for the residential Two-Year MBA program. He has spent 20 years in higher education, primarily within admissions, and has been at Cornell for 12 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University at Buffalo and a master’s in student personnel administration from SUNY Buffalo State College. Read more
Published: August 21, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Steve Togneri of Imperial College Business School
In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, let us introduce Steve Togneri, Director of Admissions at the Imperial College Business School in London, England. Steve is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in higher education admissions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies from the University of Portsmouth. Following his undergraduate studies, Steve embarked on a career in community health promotion, gaining valuable experience in public engagement and community outreach. For the past 17 years, Steve has been a dedicated member of the admissions team at Read more
Published: August 19, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Steve Thompson of Northwestern Kellogg
We welcome back Steve Thompson, Senior Director of Admissions at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, in this Admissions Director Q&A. As the leader of Full-Time admissions, Steve is focused on attracting the best and brightest candidates to Kellogg’s portfolio of Full-Time MBA programs. Steve has played a critical leadership role at Kellogg since January 2018, when he first joined the team as director of the Executive MBA Program. Prior to Kellogg, Steve worked at IE Business School as the Executive Director of the International MBA Program. Keep Read more
Published: August 14, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Mikale Elliott of WashU Olin
We’re back to Washington University’s Olin Business School with Associate Director of Recruiting Mikale Elliott in this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Mikale spent her undergraduate career at the University of Missouri–Columbia studying business communication and gaining experience recruiting underrepresented minorities. After graduating, she took a non-traditional pathway working as a flight attendant for a few years. Eventually, she returned to higher education to work on an HIV prevention research project. Through all these pivots, the thing that brought her back to admissions was her passion for others from diverse backgrounds to Read more
Published: August 13, 2024
Live Admissions Q&A: Alex Lawrence of UCLA Anderson
Alex Lawrence, Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid, UCLA Anderson Surf’s up! From surfing to skiing, UCLA’s Anderson School of Management provides city living and outdoor adventure along with a leading business education. Riding the wave of admissions insights from the GMAC Conference this summer, Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid Alex Lawrence brings 20 years of experience at UCLA Anderson to this special edition Read more
Published: August 12, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Sara Vanos of HEC Paris
In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, we hear from Sara Vanos, Executive Director of Marketing & Admissions for MBA Programs at HEC Paris.  Sara’s role covers the full-time MBA, the Executive MBA and the TRIUM Global MBA. She has over 20 years’ experience in higher education and has worked in roles across alumni relations, careers and marketing in business schools in France and Canada. Her teams are responsible for communications, marketing and admissions for the MBA programs – with the goal of attracting leaders Read more
Published: August 8, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Alex Lawrence of UCLA Anderson School of Management
Join us in welcoming back Alex Lawrence, Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA in this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Since joining UCLA Anderson in 2004, Alex has been pivotal in shaping the future of the full-time MBA program. His tenure as the assistant dean and director of MBA admissions and financial aid began in August 2012, and he has been instrumental in attracting and enrolling top talent. With a rich background in Read more
Published: August 8, 2024
Live Admissions Q&A: Dawna Levenson of MIT Sloan
Dawna Levenson, Assistant Dean of Admissions, MIT Sloan School of Management With 17 years of admissions experience at the MIT Sloan School of Management, it’s safe to consider Dawna Levenson an absolute veteran of the scene. We were lucky to sit down with her at the GMAC Conference this summer, getting her expert take on the current state of MBA admissions and career trends. In this special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, Dawna talks about: The reality of AI in admissions How to handle the video component of the MIT Sloan application Read more
Published: August 7, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Katy Radoll of UNC Kenan-Flagler
In this Admissions Director Q&A, we meet Katy Radoll, the new Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. With roots in the Pacific Northwest, Katy is thrilled to have joined the UNC Kenan-Flagler team as the Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA Program in the summer of 2024. Prior to UNC Kenan-Flagler, she led Associate Recruiting at McKinsey in Atlanta and, before that, held several different roles at MIT Sloan.  At MIT Sloan, Katy was part of the team that Read more
Published: August 6, 2024
Live Admissions Q&A: Brent Nagamine of Washington Foster
Brent Nagamine, Director of Admissions, Washington Foster Representing the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, Director of Admissions Brent Nagamine joins the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast live from the GMAC Conference this summer. In this special episode, Brent talks about: The democratizing force of AI in admissions The importance of being authentic in the application process What the adcom looks for in the video component of the Foster MBA application …and more, particularly regarding career trends and industry connections to the school’s base city of Seattle. Click Read more
Published: August 5, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Chris Healy of Manchester AMBS
Let’s welcome back Chris Healy, the Head of MBA Marketing & Recruitment at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) for this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A. Chris has 15 years of experience in graduate management education. He’s implemented and developed marketing and recruitment strategies both domestically and internationally, to meet the academic and commercial objectives of the school. During this time, he’s gained experience and insight in the UK, Western Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, North America, Africa, and Asian markets. He works with individual candidates as well as global corporates looking Read more
Published: August 1, 2024
Live Admissions Q&A: Laurel Grodman of Yale SoM
Laurel Grodman, Assistant Dean for Admissions, Yale SoM If you’re planning to apply to the Yale School of Management for your MBA, tune into this special edition of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast for what to expect from the application process and more. Wire Taps host Graham Richmond sat down with Laurel Grodman, Assistant Dean for Admissions, to dig into some key topics, including: the guidance and support regarding using AI in the application process what to expect from the video component of the Yale MBA application, which is the next step once Read more
Published: August 1, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Isabelle Perna of ESCP Business School
While ESCP Business School is comprised of six campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw, this Admissions Director Q&A takes us to Paris to meet Isabelle Perna, the Global & Paris Head of Admissions & Recruitment for the MBA in International Management. Isabelle Perna has over 35 years of experience in the world of recruitment, with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Read on to learn her favorite aspects of the ESCP MBA program and how important it is to be your authentic self on your application. Isabelle Read more
Published: July 31, 2024
Admissions Director Q&A: Cara Sonnier of Georgia Terry
We welcome back Cara Sonnier, Director of Admissions for the Full-Time MBA and M.S. Business Analytics programs at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business for the next installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Since joining the Full-Time MBA program in 2012, Cara has been instrumental in shaping the admissions process, making it more accessible and streamlined for prospective students. With a passion for graduate management education, Cara believes deeply in the transformative power and significant return on investment that the Terry College programs provide. Under her leadership, the admissions Read more

MBA Applywire

12
December 17, 2024 6:19am ET
Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, UT Austin / McCombs
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Registered Nurse
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey
GRE: 326
GPA: 3.5
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: Colorado
Post MBA Location: Chicago/NYC
Notes:

25F, lgbtq
Education: Bachelor's degree in Nursing (GPA: 3.5) from a top 2 nursing school
Work Experience: 3 years as a high-risk OB Registered Nurse at a major hospital, with leadership roles in various healthcare initiatives and patient care management.
Additional Experience: Currently working as a GP
Operations Specialist at an early-stage healthcare/tech-focused venture capital firm, where I optimize operational processes and support investment decisions in the healthcare sector.
I understand my background is somewhat non-traditional for an MBA program and that my stats are about average for these schools, but I believe my experience in healthcare and VC provides a unique perspective and skill set. Which M7 or T15 schools do you think I should realistically target, especially those known for strong consulting programs? With my stats and experience do I realistically have a shot at admission to a top program? I have a particular interest in Kellogg and Booth, as I'm planning on pursuing a career in healthcare consulting.
Additionally, I would love any guidance on how to present myself as a competitive candidate and effectively showcase my strengths and experiences in healthcart and venture capital. Thank you for your help!
7
December 17, 2024 12:03am ET
Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Worked in Tech vertical at Barclays
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan , Merrill Lynch , Morgan Stanley
GRE: 335
GPA: 3.2
Years of Work Experience: 2.5
Location: India
Notes:

With an experience of 2.5 years and a promotion to mid-managerial level as a data analyst, I look forward to MBA for a broader global exposure and be in the decision making position to see how my work brings a real time impact for the organisation.
6
December 16, 2024 6:24am ET
Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Georgetown / McDonough, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Risk management security services/operations
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting
GRE: 320
GPA: 3.75
Years of Work Experience: 4
8
December 15, 2024 6:03pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB, UCLA Anderson, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Finance
Post-MBA Target Industry: Venture Capital
GRE: 325
GPA: 3.2
Years of Work Experience: 4
6
December 13, 2024 7:23am ET
Applying: Columbia, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Private Equity Tax Operations
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity
GRE: 335
GPA: 3.30
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: India
Post MBA Location: New York
Notes:

Undergraduate: US took 6 years to graduate due to health issues. Took 1 gap year, 6 months of co-op in college + covid.
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MBA LiveWire

December 17, 2024 7:29pm ET
Accepted to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 1
Received via portal December 17, 2024
GRE: 325
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

Missed the call from a 2Y student, and received 20K/year. Very grateful for the result.
December 17, 2024 6:54pm ET
Rejected at Berkeley / Haas
Round: Round 1
Received via email on December 11, 2024
GPA: 3.7
GRE: 326
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: Intl.
Note:

Will have 3.5 YoE by matriculation.
Applied days before the deadline.
The adcom left me to die and waited until the last day for R1 decisions to let me know of my rejection.
Anyways, I'm pleased about my rejection and knowing I'm not going to a woke school. I still got an acceptance at 2 higher ranked schools.
December 17, 2024 2:58pm ET
Accepted to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 1
Received via phone December 17, 2024
GPA: 3.3
EA: 151
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Brazil
Note:

I got a call today from a student I connected with during the application process! 13y Background: operations, product management, and leadership positions.
December 17, 2024 2:53pm ET
Waitlisted at U. Washington / Foster
Round: Round 1
Received via email on December 12, 2024
GPA: 3.14
GRE: 324
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: SEA
Note:

Still hoping, I don't wanna leave...
December 17, 2024 2:52pm ET
Accepted to Carnegie Mellon / Tepper
Round: Round 1
Received via phone on December 03, 2024
GPA: 3.85
GMAT: 750
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: Boston
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